Mahabharata 9.16.41 — Shalya Parva, Adhyaya 16, Shloka 41
Śalya–Yudhiṣṭhira Duel and the Discharge of the Śakti (शल्यवधप्रसङ्गः)
पुनश्चास्य धनुश्चित्रं गजराजकरोपमम् । क्षुरेण शितधारेण प्रचकर्त नराधिप:,तत्पश्चात् राजा दुर्योधनने तीखी धारवाले क्षुरसे भीमसेनके विचित्र धनुषको भी, जो हाथीकी सूँड़के समान था, काट डाला
punaścāsya dhanuś citraṃ gajarāja-karopamam | kṣureṇa śitadhāreṇa pracakarta narādhipaḥ ||
சஞ்சயன் கூறினான்—பின்னரும் அந்த அரசன் துரியோதனன், கூர்மையான கத்தி-முனையால், யானை அரசனின் துதிக்கையை ஒத்த பீமசேனனின் அதிசய வில்லைக் கிழித்தெறிந்தான்.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a battlefield ethic where victory is pursued by neutralizing the opponent’s capacity to fight (here, cutting the bow). It reflects the harsh reality of kṣatriya warfare: skill and resolve are praised, yet the means are uncompromising, reminding the listener that war rapidly erodes gentler moral considerations.
In the ongoing duel, Duryodhana uses a sharp, razor-like weapon to sever Bhīma’s ornate bow, likened to an elephant’s trunk. The action is a tactical move to disarm and pressure Bhīma by destroying his primary weapon.
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